Revving to go

Beauty Pageant

Auditions for ‘Miss Kerala 2011’ have already been held in Kochi, and will soon be conducted in Chennai, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi as well.  The contestants were put through three different rounds — in the first, they were required to walk to music in front of the judges.They were then asked to introduce themselves in their own unique style, and lastly, they had to answer a series of questions that the judges put to them.

The event was judged by Biju Kolli, a dance instructor with 23 years of experience behind him, as well as Supriya, also a dancer. The official parameters for judging the contestants were listed as the overall look, confidence, style sensibility and stage presence but Biju explained that they were on the hunt for much more.

“We’re going to be assessing their presentation, grace, and body language as well. We’d also like to see some kind of talent through which these contestants can better express themselves,” he said.

Aroma Mohan, a second year B Com student from Bangalore, was one of the first contestants at the audition. Looking casual and comfortable in a striped tee shirt and jeans, she exhibited her catwalk in front of the judges, and then answered a few questions about herself, including her special talent — which she claimed was painting.

“This is the first time that I’ve taken part in an event like this. I’m thankful for the opportunity, but I’m also really nervous,” she admitted. Next up was Nimisha, a fashion design student who has lived in the City for the last eight years. Although, she has never taken part in a pageant before, she has plenty of friends who are models and said that this gave her additional confidence. Wearing an embroidered top and fitted jeans, she demonstrated her walk in front of the judges and then added that she was skilled at dancing, music and painting as well.

The third contender, Lakshmi, is a Bangalore-based girl who is currently completing her air-hostess training. Wearing a floral print skirt and a simple blouse, she said, “I love travelling more than anything, which is why I am training to be an air-hostess. I have a great time modelling as well.”

Roopika, an ex-engineering student, was also one of the contestants. Listing her hobbies as modelling, acting and listening to music, she explained that she played a small role in a Tamil movie, and wowed the judges with her professional catwalk.

Last up was Mayetta, an advertising professional, who has had a few brushes with modelling in the last six years. After showing off a few of her dance moves to the song Chhamak Chhallo, she was asked to describe herself, to which she replied, “I’m the face of new India: bubbly, and revving to go.”

The finalists of this audition will then be put into a one-week long grooming period, which will be on from October 1 and 8. They will also be asked to showcase one of their talents in a competition held during this period, and the results of all these rounds will be taken into consideration before the selection of Miss Kerala 2011.